Painter, quilter create quilt patterns

John Simpkins and Barbara Ferguson, both artists in their own right, have a business venture that is local through and through. Simpkins is an artist and quilt designer and Ferguson is a talented quilter. Simpkins created the painting that became the 2006 Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show poster.

Together, the pair fashioned a quilt and pattern based on the poster. Titled “Mystic Meadow,” the pattern is available exclusively at The Stitchin’ Post in Sisters until July 9. Then it becomes available on the open market. Priced at $18, the pattern is sold in a unique black string-tie envelope with colorful labels printed by XPress Printing of Sisters and each one is signed by Simpkins.

This isn’t the first quilt Simpkins and Ferguson have collaborated on. In 1998, when Ferguson was floor manager at The Stitchin’ Post, Simpkins was persuaded to come to work there. Simpkins loved working with the fabric. His job was to move bolts of fabric around and play with the color and design of the fabric displays.

“It was like being surrounded by giant tubes of paint,” he said.

He’d taken a beginning quilting class and store owner Jean Wells soon asked him to design a quilt called “Folk Arts Cats.” The quilt was presented to customers as a block-of-the-month, with the idea being that by the end of a year, the customer had completed a quilt. Ferguson worked with Simpkins on the creation of the pattern for that quilt, one that is still available today.

For several years after that, as Ferguson and Simpkins both moved on from The Stitchin’ Post, they’d have an annual conversation about how they should do another quilt. Finally, said Ferguson, it came together last summer. Simpkins was working on the Sisters Art Works building and realized it would be a perfect space for working on quilts. They combined talents and “Mystic Meadow” came to be.

Simpkins chooses color, fabrics and makes the design. Ferguson puts it together and writes the instructions.

“I’m not very good at sewing,” said Simpkins.

Several aspects of their quilt patterns are unique, they said. First are the black envelopes, a departure from the usual plastic ziplock bag. The string-tie enclosure gives it a touch of panache, and makes it easy to close and reuse. The instructions are presented in a booklet, with pictures and handwritten comments by Simpkins sprinkled throughout.

Because fabric styles and colors change frequently, the finished creation is likely to deviate from the pattern, which is what Simpkins and Ferguson want. They’d like quilters to send them photos of finished quilts, showing their creativity.

Two other patterns are in the works, titled “Amish Moons” and “Bow Ties.” They will be available later in the summer. Long term, Ferguson and Simpkins figure they have active ideas for around a dozen quilts; after that they’ll be at the mercy of inspiration.

“We’ve also talked about doing one-of-a-kind quilts for sale or commission quilts,” said Ferguson.

“Mystic Meadow” patterns and the finished quilt can be found at The Stitchin’ Post in Sisters.